The challenges of parents in Kosovo between career and family planning

Rising inflation and the high demand for childcare in Kosovo have led to a lack of satisfactory birth rate growth in recent years. Young couples are even postponing family planning until later in life.

Although some of the allowances for mothers and children offered by the Government of Kosovo have been a help in starting family life, they are not sufficient.

Paulina Nushi-Muhaxhiri, a journalist and mother, says that as a working woman, she had to plan both of her pregnancies well, due to her commitments and career. She says that today there are fewer births due to the rising cost of living and the difficulties in balancing career and family life.

"Both of my pregnancies were planned. 6 months after the wedding I received the news that I was expecting a girl and then a boy. When there is planning, everything is easier, especially in managing finances. Today we have fewer births because the way of life has changed. Before, there were many members in the family and relatives took care of the children. Today, mothers work and find it difficult to manage life between career and family," emphasizes Nushi-Muhaxhiri.

She adds that the state should have better social policies, as a woman faces many expenses for caring for herself and her baby from the moment she becomes pregnant. She mentions developed countries, where the state offers concrete assistance to new mothers.

"I believe that the decline in the birth rate does not serve society. Many young people are migrating. The state should create social policies that enable young couples to start families more easily. In the Nordic countries, mothers do not worry about what to take with them to the hospital. In Finland, for example, the mother takes a bag with all the essential things for herself and the baby. In Kosovo, from pregnancy onwards, women have to think about everything and this affects the decrease in the birth rate. It is better not to bring an unplanned child into the world, because if we do not provide them with good living conditions, it becomes very difficult," says Nushi-Muhaxhiri.

She adds that for career women, childcare costs are very high, including paying for private educational institutions, which provide a safe environment for children while parents are at work.

"We as parents should also think about our children's education, about investing in daily attendance at private schools. Mothers work full-time and it is not easy to be a mother and a professional at the same time. Therefore, we are forced to pay more for childcare. For these reasons, many young people postpone starting a family or consider having only one or two children," adds Nushi-Muhaxhiri.

She emphasizes that at the beginning of the month she needs at least 500 euros to cover expenses for her two children.

"It's very significant – at least 500 euros a month for education and care for two children, not including other essential things, which also cost money. These are the reasons why couples plan small families," she states.

On the other hand, sociologist Genx Xërxa says that to raise and care for a child up to the age of 18 in Kosovo, a family must invest up to 150 thousand euros.

"For the first few months of a baby's life, monthly expenses can reach up to 50 euros for food and diapers. Daycare costs up to 200 euros. Then there's transportation, healthcare, all of which are huge costs. It is estimated that raising a child up to the age of 18 in Kosovo costs up to 150 euros. In the UK, this figure reaches up to 200," says Xërxa.

He emphasizes that our country lacks appropriate social policies. If this situation continues, according to him, the birth rate will drop and couples will hesitate to start families.

"There are some supplements, but they are of little help. Children, especially in the early years, often face health problems and this increases costs. Stimulating policies to increase the birth rate are lacking. The government should seriously think about this issue. Life has become expensive and young couples are forced to reconsider family planning," Xërxa declares.

But, on the other hand, according to data published by the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, the year 2023 ended with 31.110 births inside and outside the country. In 2024, there was a slight increase, with a total of 31.717 births. While in July of this year, 2.664 births were registered, an increase of about 5% compared to June of the same year.